Only You by Jerry Cole (the top 100 crime novels of all time TXT) 📕

here now, so Sherman was done. His love was all that Sherman needed... at least that was what he told himself. He had to.

“Finished!” Bradley called from the bathroom. “You better hurry up! We have a booking!” he then added jokingly.

Sherman wiped at his nose and then made sure to wipe up any remaining evidence of cocaine use. Bradley had no idea and he wanted to keep it this way. If everything went the way he hoped, Bradley would never have to find out.

Dinner that night was as perfect as Sherman had imagined it to be. The restaurant itself was a little hole-in-the-wall kind of spot that specialized in smoked meats and dark liquors; the room was shrouded in darkness, the music was somber, the atmosphere romantic, and the experience divine. They spoke and laughed and joked and flirted the night away.

Sherman had been picturing this entire day in his head for weeks; from the pick-up to the apartment to the dinner. He had worried that like the sex, he had perhaps overplayed it, and created a vision that was impossible to match. But when the night came to an end, he was pleased to see that even his imagination couldn’t do the real thing justice. There was a slight argument when the bill came, as Sherman had to remind Bradley who was paying, but that was literally it. Everything else was... well, it was perfect.

And when the night was done, they retired back to Sherman’s apartment for more drinks, some desert and a lot more sex. He didn’t need cocaine, he didn’t care about the impending doom that was Covid-19. Instead, Sherman lived in the moment and relished how great it was to finally have Bradley here with him in Sydney.

They fell asleep in one another’s arms that night. Sherman was as happy as he’d ever been. Bradley felt at peace. The entire world seemed to stop spinning. Sherman, he knew, had never been happier. Surely, this feeling would go on forever?

Chapter Fifteen

“Say that again.” Bradley’s voice was steady and determined; it was steel and oak, hard and strong.

“What if I do?”

Bradley smirked, like he’d just remembered something funny from earlier. He gave his head a slight shake and then looked the ‘perp’ right in the eyes. “Do you see anyone else here – do you?! This isn't no good cop, bad cop. It’s only bad cop.”

“So?”

Bradley chuckled softly. “So? Say it again and I’ll put your head through the mirror. How’s that for a ‘so’?”

“You’re bluffing.”

Bradley’s smile was sly and cool. He had complete control of this situation and it showed. “Try me.”

“Cut!”

Hearing the word ‘cut’ shouted had Bradley taking a quick step back, giving his head a shake and then breaking into a wide smile; it felt like he hadn’t smiled in days. In order to channel that character, he’d had to descend to a place of darkness and hate and anger that wasn’t him. But that was acting.

“Well done.” The casting director clapped enthusiastically as she approached Bradley. “That was really something.”

“Thanks.” Bradley held his hand out to shake, and the casting director took it in her own. “That felt good – really good.”

“You did good,” she assured him. She gripped his single hand with both of her own as she shook it. “Very well done.”

Sitting across the room were three other people, watching the performance. One was the director, while the other two were producers. They hadn’t spoken a word since Bradley had walked into the small audition room, and even now they were silent. They had their heads together, whispering among one another. They were speaking about Bradley too and his performance. He would have given his left foot to know what they were saying.

“So, what now?” Bradley asked. The audition was over, and he was the last of the day. Already, the cameraman was shutting down his equipment and packing up.

“We’ll contact your agent and let them know what the next step is,” the casting director explained as she led him toward the door. “Should be in the next week, I’d say. I know they want to get this thing off the ground quick.”

At the door, Bradley was about to get the heck out of there before he did or said anything that might ruin his chances. But he had one more question he needed to ask. “Can I just... there’s one more thing.”

“Shoot.”

“Covid,” Bradley started cautiously. Some people hated speaking about Covid, especially in the film community. So, Bradley was always careful to bring it up. “What’s the... will it affect production? Assuming this whole lockdown thing —”

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” she assured him pleasantly. “If it happens it happens. I know the network is giving this show 100% of its support so even if we have to halt production a little while... it will go ahead. I assure you of that.” She then gave him a pat on the arm as if to calm his nerves.

“Awesome,” Bradley smiled. That was a huge relief to hear. “Thanks.”

“You did good, today,” the casting director said again. She then led him through the door and indicated across the room to the exit. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing from us.”

Bradley left that audition with a kick to his step. Indeed, if it wouldn’t have looked so odd, he might have danced on down the street and all the way home. He had nailed it! And not just nailed it, but fucking killed it! He knew he had in the moment, and the words of affirmation afterwards only confirmed the fact. Bradley didn’t want to get too ahead of himself here... but he was pretty sure he’d just booked himself his first ever lead role in a TV show.

The move to Sydney was a good idea, and there was almost no denying that